Me410-carnage over Oder 1945

[Leo Etgen]

Hello guys

I am glad that this thread has begun to discuss the existence of the "new" III./JG 54 formed after the redesignation of the "old" III./JG 54 as IV./JG 26. I have been interested in this unit for some time but information is hard to come by. A while ago I was lucky enough to come by the following link to the French translation of The Luftwaffe im Focus Special Nr. 2. http://www.luftfahrtverlag-start.de/...anzoesisch.pdf On page 4, when discussing Photo 4, it has a paragraph describing the setting up of the "new" III./JG 54. From what I understand, II./ZG 76 was redesignated III./JG 54 on 18 February 1945. However, it was not until 25 February 1945 that the "old" III./JG 54 was redesignated IV./JG 26. Thus, for seven days there were two Gruppen known as III./JG 54! To avoid confusion, the "new" unit was listed as III./JG 54 (II./ZG 76) during this time. This is a dramatic example of the confusion and disintegration of the Luftwaffe at this time of the war. Note that according to the article, there has been much confusion of this "new" III./JG 54 with IV./JG 54, which was redesignated II./JG 7 in February 1945, by some authors that mistake the one unit for the other. I hope that my interpretation of the information included in the article is correct and would more than welcome any comments.

Horrido!

Leo

[drgondog]

Only the 78FG under Landers had a single day like that in March and it was 19 March 1945 -35 109s/190s incl a couple of Ar 234's near Osnabruck.

Can't find any 410's shot down on 22 March by any group in 8th, nor can I find a lot of scores for the 354FG in the 9th AF.

Regards,
Bill

[Nokose]

Bill, Did the 78th shoot down any of these in the Oder River area? I suspect that not all these went to Mustangs as the VVS was building up in that area. JG11, JG3 and other units were heavy into bombing these bridgehead bridges in the attempt to keep the Russia army from getting units across between Feb-April. I know that we have had posts discussing ID mistakes between the allies in this area so both sides knocking down these Fw190A's is possibly what happen.

[kalender1973]

Originally Posted by Nokose

II/ZG76 became the "reestablished" IV/JG54 in the spring of 1945. It was never under the control of JG54 but Jagddivision in Bad Saarow. More then 15 planes carrying 250 kg bombs were shot down by Mustangs attacking the Oder bridges and positions in the area of Goeritz-Lebus.

With other words, you mean the american plane covers the soviet troops ? IIRC Lebus and other Oder bridgeheads was captured in februar and the western allied and soviet has precised defined operation zones.
Why were US dispatch to this area ?

[Nokose]

The USAAF along with the RAF were still bombing Berlin almost up to the time that the Russians were moving in. I believe these were free hunt missions from the escorts and not actual bridge top cover.

[drgondog]

Nokose - Every one was referenced as 'Osnabruck' area so who knows?

The interesting thing is if it was VVS I suspect that some of the survivors would have noted the difference... but I doubt that USAAF was flying 'air cover' over the River Oder in late March - already the 'friendly fire' issues were cropping up with Soviets

[Nokose]

22Mar45 4FG while on escort observed approx 15 FW-190A-8's laden with bombs. They attacked in the Eggersdorf/Furstenwalde area. The Mustangs of the 4FG accounted for 11 and 2 probables (Lt Col Sidney Woods claimed 5). Over Seelow 4 La-7's of the 176 GIAP observed approx 30 bomb laden FW-190's that they attacked. Ivan Kozhedub claimed 2, Dmitrii Titareno 1, Alexandr Kumanichkin 1 and Vladiimir Gromakovskii 1.
The JG54 homepage has listed 7 FW-190A-8's of the "III" as 100% and 2 damaged. 5 KIA and 1 MIA (Bob says the info is incomplete but he will be updating.)

[yogybär]

Yes, that 22.03. attack by 4th FG fits:
-Date and area are OK
- Only 2 survivors on german side

So, it was already after the reequipment of the Ex-Zerstörers, and the error is all mine. I thought, the carnage had taken place before reorganizing, and that was wrong (see title). Good to know that Mr. Hannig's memories are correct.

Thank you, Nokose!